Gor, Leopards read conspiracy in Fifa transfer probe

Paul Were of Harambee Stars celebrates scoring against Liberia during their FIFA International friendly match at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on November 15, 2016. His transfer from AFC Leopards to Amazulu FC is at the centre of a Fifa probe. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com

Domestic football giants Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards SC have read conspiracy in reports that an official from world governing body Fifa is due in the country to investigate their transfer dealings.

According to local daily reports on Tuesday, the Fifa official is expected over the weekend to probe allegations lodged against them by players who claim they were not paid their transfer monies by the clubs.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Gor Team Manager Jolawi Obondo says he only saw the Fifa visit in the newspapers and the club was totally unaware of their coming.

Obondo alleged the simmering feud between Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Nick Mwendwa and the club chairman; Ambrose Rachier could be behind the inviting of the Fifa official to frustrate K’Ogalo.

The Team Manager added they were ready to work with the Fifa official in whatever they want to know about the club citing the abrupt visit as a ‘non explosive time bomb’.

Obondo who has served long in his capacity declared, “We are very transparent in our dealings and our records are in order.”

According to the report, Gor have filed their financial returns of the past two years with FKF as required with Obondo expressing concern over the delay in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) kick-off as they aim to stretch their record to 16 titles after being dethroned by Tusker FC last term.

In the ongoing feud over the composition of the 2017 KPL, FKF boss Mwendwa announced last week that Rachier was among the four top officials of the league management body who disciplinary proceedings would be opened against.

KPL founder, Bob Munro, Chairman James Musyoki and CEO Jack Oguda are the other bosses Mwendwa accuses of scuttling the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 teams.

Efforts to reach chairman Rachier who last week urged Mwendwa to stop ruling by majesty and embrace dialogue or the Vice-chairman John Pesa were futile.

-Blame game-

Across the Leopards Den, the reports sparked blame games amongst the current and former officials with the club also accused of failing to remit transfer monies to players.

Leopards Secretary General, Oscar Igaida, pointed the finger of blame to the former regime insisting they only inherited what is being alleged.

“Those are allegations that touch on an activity that took place two years ago and we were not in the office. The person who was running the system at the time is Asava Kadima and so we will call him to come and clarify,” Igaida maintained.

Igaida blamed Fifa and FKF for the short notice saying that the club first needs to find out which players were sold without the money being channelled to the club’s account.

“If that happened, then we are all aware that it is a serious offence under the Fifa Statutes and so we hope that the previous regime followed all the processes needed,” Igaida held.

Igaida has now asked Fifa to expound on the alleged saga as well as making it clear which players that may have moved or arrived at Ingwe without the money being banked in the account.

When contacted former Secretary General Kadima said that he is not in the position to explain what happened and how the money was paid out since right now the club is under a new regime that is supposed to come clear on the matter.

He however, claimed that the transfer money of Harambee Starts winger, Paul Were was not paid by the club by the time the previous regime was handing over.

Were was sold to Premier Soccer League side Amazulu FC of South Africa ahead of 2014-2015 season at an undisclosed fee.